Take control of your health this new year with a free NHS Health Check

Published: Friday, January 10, 2025

The start of the new year is the perfect time to take charge of your health and wellbeing in simple, manageable ways. If you’re over 40, ensure you're on the right track by booking a quick and free NHS Health Check at your local GP or pharmacy.

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NHS Health Checks are a vital and completely free service designed for people aged 40 to 74, to spot early signs of common heart-related health problems like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia and kidney disease.

Even if you feel great now, simply being aged over 40 raises your risk of developing these issues. We’re used to waiting until something feels wrong to take action, but many of these serious conditions develop slowly and can often go unnoticed.

By taking 20 minutes to get an NHS Health Check every five years, you can take proactive steps to protect your long-term health by detecting risk factors before they turn into something more serious.

Councillor Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Health, said: “The Council is invested in keeping everyone in Wandsworth fit and healthy. As well as getting an NHS Health Check, you can stay healthy by making sure your vaccinations are up to date, and ensuring you get your flu jab if you're eligible.”

What to expect at your appointment

The non-invasive appointment will include quick measures of your blood pressure, body mass index and cholesterol levels and a series of lifestyle questions. Following this, you’ll get a risk score and have this explained to you by your GP or local pharmacist. If you’re at a higher risk, you’ll be given tailored lifestyle advice and connected with local services to help lower your risk.

To be eligible for an NHS Health Check, you must not have been previously diagnosed with diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease or stroke.

Taking care of your health is one of the best resolutions you can make this year. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear – find a time that suits your schedule and book your check today with your local GP or one of our participating pharmacies in Wandsworth.

Find out more about NHS Health Checks, including information about eligibility.

Looking for more local support to make easy, healthy lifestyle changes this year?